Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. floated the idea of expanding the Philippines' network of Status of Visiting Forces Agreements (SOVFAs) on Monday, October 26, 2026, citing the need to deepen military interoperability and advance collective security under the United Nations framework.
Teodoro delivered the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers (AAPTC) 13th Annual General Meeting and Workshop 2026, convened in Makati City.
New SOVFAs Possible With Like-Minded Partner Nations
The Department of National Defense said the Philippines currently maintains SOVFAs with five AAPTC member states — France, Canada, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand — grounded in shared commitments to international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), interoperability, collective security, and deterrence.
Teodoro expressed willingness to widen that group, contingent on alignment of core values between the Philippines and any prospective partner country.
"It opens up my eyes, too, to the possibility of stronger relationships to include perhaps Status of Visiting Forces Agreements with countries where we do not have a misalignment of fundamental values," the Defense Secretary said, as quoted in the DND press release.
According to the DND, Teodoro said broader SOVFA coverage could enable more realistic joint training exercises, bolster force protection, and improve the delivery of essential services to communities affected by armed conflict.
AFP Called to Strengthen Peacekeeping Cooperation
The Defense Secretary urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines to actively pursue cooperation with regional peacekeeping partners and seek avenues for deeper defense collaboration, the DND statement said. Teodoro characterized peacekeeping as a potent instrument of military diplomacy that fosters knowledge exchange, professional ties, and enduring partnerships among participating nations.
He further underscored the importance of clear rules of engagement, robust command-and-control arrangements, and sufficient force protection measures, stressing that these are necessary to allow peacekeepers to fulfil their mandated tasks while protecting the overall credibility and effectiveness of UN peace operations, according to the DND.
Philippines Takes Over AAPTC Chairmanship From Bangladesh
Teodoro also led the formal turnover of the AAPTC chairmanship and flag from Bangladesh to the Philippines. Outgoing chairmanship representative Brigadier General Mohammad Hafiz Mahmud, Deputy Commandant of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), and incoming chairperson Colonel Warlito A. Limet, Commanding Officer of the AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center (PKOC), led the turnover proceedings.
Annual Meeting Focuses on Peacekeeping in Modern Conflict Zones
This year's AAPTC gathering carries the theme: "Technology, Information and Influence: Preparing Peacekeepers for Modern Conflict Zones in a Resource-Constrained Environment." The DND said the event is aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, promoting knowledge exchange, and identifying fresh training approaches for peace operations — preparing peacekeepers to contend with emerging security threats, rapid technological change, and constrained resources in today's conflict environments.
Also speaking at the opening were Captain James S. Ramon Jr., Executive Officer of the AFP PKOC, and Mr. Atul Khare, UN Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support. The gathering drew representatives from Asia-Pacific peace operations training centers, military officers, peacekeeping practitioners, and UN officials including Mr. Harinder Sood, Chief of the Integrated Training Service, the DND reported.
Source: Department of National Defense